Code of conduct for parties, public officials issued

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 03 March 2004, 13:39 GMT]
A National Advisory Council appointed by President Chandrika Kumaratunga released a code of conduct for political parties, voters and public officials to be adhered during the elections and during the post poll period. The Council under the Chairmanship of Ven Dr. Bellanwila Wimalaratna Nayaka thero released the code of conduct at a meeting at the Ministry of Interior on Wednesday.

The council met with representatives of political parties contesting the April 2 parliamentary elections before releasing their code of conduct.

The code of conduct released said that the main aim of the council was to ensure free and fair elections.

Following election laws, maintaining discipline among the members of the parties and independent groups, ensuring that the candidates have high integrity and ability to represent the people, respecting the rights of the election officers, refraining from pasting posters, extending co-operation to the police are among the guidelines in the code of conduct.

The Council was initially appointed by the President to provide advice on combating crime, but with the elections being announced the council summoned party representatives for the meeting.